Dan Bucatinsky's speech at Christina Ricci's Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiling ceremony

MaximoTV

https://www.maximotv.com  Dan Bucatinsky's speech at Christina Ricci's Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiling ceremony on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 6258 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, USA. This video is available for editorial use in all media and worldwide. To ensure compliance and proper licensing of this video, please contact us. ©MaximoTV  🇺🇸

Transcript

00:00Please welcome Dan Bukatynski to the stage.

00:06I have props. I have to read or I'll cry. That's how it works. If I don't read, I cry.

00:22Oh my gosh. What an honor and what a thrill it is, Christina, to be here to celebrate you

00:28as you're honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so deserving given the remarkable journey

00:40that you have been on since you were a kid. You've always been truly extraordinary, one-of-a-kind talent,

00:45not to mention a fabulous, beautiful, funny, smart, and inspiring friend.

00:50It seems like only yesterday when I met Christina, she was just 17 at the time.

00:55I was merely 17 years older than she was, and weirdly, now we're the same age.

01:01As you heard from her credits, Christina grew up fast as a kid working in this business,

01:05films like Mermaids, like you heard, Casper, Addams Family.

01:08Later she made quite a mark on the world when she starred in first Ang Lee's Ice Storm,

01:12and then my husband Don Roose's directorial debut, The Opposite of Sex.

01:20What you don't know is that after we wrapped, she was supposed to head back to New York.

01:24Instead, she called Sarah, her mom. She said, I'm staying with Dan and Don.

01:29It was the first we'd heard about it, but we were delighted to take in this pint-sized,

01:34sophisticated movie star, delighted and terrified. She was so much more grown up than we were.

01:41We had a room for her, and like any typical teen, it was a mess, but movie star mess,

01:46so what were we going to say? Strewn on the bed in the closets were elements of couture,

01:51or even a feather bow, I recall, because I squealed audibly.

01:54All these looks from photo shoots and fashion shows, yes, from a very early age,

01:59Christina has been a fashionista, a staple at International Fashion Weeks,

02:03wearing designers from A to Z, Armani to Zac Posen, and everything in between.

02:08All clothes that apparently didn't need to be hung up.

02:12Just tossed, stuffed under the bed, sometimes used to mop up a spill.

02:17Well, not so thoughtful, as it turns out, to make two gay guys have to look at that.

02:23Christina and I shared some really, really good times.

02:26Hotels in London, Venice, when the movie opened at festivals.

02:29Then here in town, we would go out to lunch like three days a week.

02:33Hours spent talking and gossiping, bitching, smoking, maybe sharing a glass of champagne.

02:38Nobody cards a movie star. No one cards me either, so I told you, we're the same age.

02:44Then back at home, we would sit at the edge of her bed enraptured as she'd pick out outfits.

02:48Then we'd go out to eat, and Christina, I don't know if you remember this,

02:51you'd always order the most expensive steaks, and then you'd cut the fat right off of them.

02:56Good for you, we would think, so mindful of nutrition at such a young age.

03:00But she'd just eat the fat and leave the meat untouched.

03:05Meat is gross, she would say.

03:08It was movie star logic, so of course we agreed.

03:11After one particular photo shoot at our house, I remember a pair of shoes, boots really, that were kind of awesome.

03:18And Christina, you didn't want them.

03:20Or at least that's what I told myself.

03:27I told myself she did not want these boots for the past 25 years.

03:35And I haven't not tried them on, I mean that's for sure.

03:39This is what happens, young lady, when you leave your clothes on the floor.

03:43There are other things of yours as well, which I will not embarrass you with.

03:47Christina stayed with us for a little over three months, and really became like family.

03:52The Addams Family, where Don and I were the monsters and she was the blonde Wednesday.

03:56In fact, I remember sitting on the couch one night with Don watching Christina on Letterman,

04:00blissfully describing that she's now been living with Don and Dan.

04:04And a baffled Letterman gave her a look as if to say,

04:07what kind of gay gardens nightmare theme park is that?

04:11Blink twice if you want us to rescue you.

04:20It was a unique bond that Christina and I had, part parental, part peer, I guess closer to brother and sister.

04:27So I'm so honored to celebrate you today.

04:30But what we're celebrating today is not just Christina's professional achievements,

04:33having commanded the respective industry legends for decades.

04:37As a remarkable actor, producer, yes, from your iconic childhood roles,

04:41but then all the later ones too, like that beautiful performance Patty talked about in Monster.

04:46Brilliantly directed.

04:48You always bring sardonic wit and sophistication, smarts and edge to your roles.

04:53And the same now playing Misty on all three seasons of Yellow Jackets.

04:57But beyond that, Christina is a super creative and innovative artist.

05:01Have you seen her deck of tarot cards, cat full of spiders?

05:05Christina, you can do it all.

05:08While carrying with you the essence of that spirited young girl we all fell in love with.

05:12You possess that unique ability to bring joy, laughter and an impish energy that lights up a room.

05:18And now how gracefully you've integrated your love and attention to your beautiful family with Mark

05:23and those gorgeous kids, Freddie and Cleo.

05:26Christina, we are so honored to share this momentous occasion with you.

05:30And I wanted you to know that today in honor, I am wearing this gorgeous suit I've loved for almost 25 years.

05:36I didn't steal it from her, friends. I know that's what you were thinking.

05:39She bought it for me.

05:41I treasure it as a memento of that magical time when you at just 20 years old

05:45insisted on taking me to Gucci on Rodeo Drive for a shopping spree.

05:50You directed the sales team to fit me with this suit, a tie, a pair of shoes,

05:54all for my big premiere of my first film, All Over the Guy,

05:57in which you graciously and fittingly agreed to play my younger sister.

06:01You knew how exciting and important it was to me and you wanted me to feel special.

06:06I did feel special.

06:08Almost as special as I feel today when I think 25 years later, it still fits.

06:14Yes, with Spanx three pairs.

06:17But that's not the point, people.

06:19The point is Christina herself, like this suit, is timeless.

06:23She doesn't age.

06:25So Christina, to me, you'll always be like my little sister,

06:28who knows more, knows better, how to get by in life,

06:32by seeing the truth, speaking the truth,

06:34and knowing when to laugh about it and when to flip it off.

06:37Christina, I've always and will always love you.

06:40And while we may walk by and marvel at your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,

06:44the real star is you.

06:46It comes from inside of you.

06:48I know you're thinking, ew, gross.

06:50But it's true.

06:52And it's a light so bright it shines on all of us who have the privilege to know you

06:56and to love you on screen and off.

06:59I love you. Thank you.

07:02These are mine now.

Category

Transcript

Recommended